According to Reuters, Zimmer has appeared in Men’s Wearhouse commercials since 1986, but the company began downplaying his role in commercials in recent years, trying to balance appealing to younger shoppers while not alienating loyal customers.

Representatives for Zimmer and Men’s Wearhouse declined to comment to Reuters.

Men’s Wearhouse ousted Zimmer from his executive chairman position in June, though it did not offer any official word regarding the iconic Zimmer TV commercials and other advertising using his image. However, a November 2010 license agreement shows the license fee increases to $250,000 if Zimmer “ceases to be an employee of the company for any reason.”

“They now have tried to portray me as an obstinate former CEO, determined to regain absolute control by pushing a going private transaction for my own personal benefit and ego,” Zimmer wrote in the letter. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”